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Hello! It’s September 16, and we’re tracking today’s top stories: Russia revives barter trade to dodge Western sanctions, U.S. designates Colombia as failing to cooperate in the drug war, Israel Calls for Seizure of $1.5 Million in Tether Tied to Iran, He Smuggled $500 Million Worth of Cocaine in One Night, and much more…

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🎯 FEATURED STORY

Russia revives barter trade to dodge Western sanctions. Old-fashioned barter is on the rise in Russia's foreign trade for the first time since the 1990s, as companies seeking to outfox Western sanctions swap wheat for Chinese cars and flax seeds for building materials. Reuters

🔥 TOP STORIES

US designates Colombia as failing to cooperate in the drug war for first time in nearly 30 years CNN

Israel Calls for Seizure of $1.5 Million in Tether Tied to Iran Decrypt

He Infiltrated a Colombian Cartel. Then He Smuggled $500 Million Worth of Cocaine in One Night. Rolling Stone 

FBI probing possible ‘extended network’ that ‘aided and abetted’ suspected Charlie Kirk shooter Tyler Robinson NYP

US, China Reach ‘Framework Deal’ Over TikTok Semafor

Despite Sanctions, U.S. And Europe Still Do Billions in Trade With Russia Reuters

Hackers Steal Customer Data from Gucci, Balenciaga, And McQueen BBC

FBI Quietly Dismantled a Global “Internet Weapon” WSJ 

U.S. Won’t Impose China Tariffs Over Russian Oil Unless Europe Acts Reuters

Trump announces second U.S. strike against alleged drug boat from Venezuela CBS

European prosecutors make mega seizure of Chinese goods at Piraeus Politico 

North Korean hackers used ChatGPT to help forge deepfake ID Fortune 

Sanctions-hit Nayara seeks Indian govt help to get refinery repair gear Reuters

🚩 RUSSIA & CHINA

How a CCP-Controlled Tech Company's American Affiliate Is Working To Actualize China's 'Vision for Authoritarian Internet Control' Free Beacon 

Beijing Says Nvidia Broke Antitrust Rules as Trade Rift Widens Semafor 

Why Sanctions Have Not Stopped Russia’s Economy Forbes

China’s Snub of U.S. Soybeans Is a Crisis for American Farmers NYT

U.S. Oil Sanctions Push Puts Europe on The Spot Bloomberg

💸 CORRUPTION & FINANCIAL CRIME

Anatomy of Two Giant Deals: The U.A.E. Got Chips. The Trump Team Got Crypto Riches. NYT

Philippines’ Marcos Jr. Backs Public Outrage Over Flood-Project Corruption AP 

Georgia freezes bank accounts of parents of jailed former aide to de facto leader Guardian 

Nepal’s new PM vows to end corruption, follow protesters’ demands SCMP

🔐 CRYPTO & CYBER

Scammers in Asia Used ChatGPT to Run Fraud Scheme Reuters 

Memecoins Drop After $2.4M Shibarium Hack CoinDesk 

With Crypto Hacks Rising, Ethereum’s Founder Tests a New Privacy Wallet CryptoNews 

Nemo Protocol To Compensate $2.6M Hack Victims With Debt Tokens Cryptopolitan

🚚 TRAFFICKING

Colombia’s Dávila Pledges Hard Line on Maduro, Narcos, And Corruption Miami Herald

Washington Woman Sentenced for Black-Bear Parts Trafficking FOX 

Megachurch leader and his mother indicted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges NPR

Cartels Shift Tactics as Border Human Trafficking Declines FOX

Thomson Reuters CLEAR
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